Jack A. Hill points out some of the key elements in Western ethics, a conversation about the pursuit of the good. In thinking about the social drama embodied in our case studies, thinking about why various parties understand themselves as pursuing some good is useful for considering the ways various discourses play out. This chapter will give us more tools and theories for capturing this.

Please define the term, Ethics (pp. 81-82). And in addition tor your basic definition of ethics, note how the following terms come into play:

  • Facts of the situation-
  • Worldview-
  • Moral Values and Moral Standards (of Conduct)

Then please go on to define the terms below:

  • Moral experience (p.80)
  • Religious Ethics (p.80)
  • Phenomenology(p.80)
  • Comparative (p.80)
  • Moral Values (p.80)
  • Moral Standards (p.80)

Three main ways of decision making (p.83-86)

  • Teleological Ethics-
  • Deontological Ethics-
  • Relational/Situational Ethics (note especially pp.85-86, we will come to use the term “areteological ethics” as well)
Rodin's the Thinker, a statue of a naked man sitting with his arm under his chin.

On pages 84-85, Hill gives us a window onto the ethics of some African American Christians. Give some thought to his discussion of Black and Womanist religious ethics in light of this week’s readings and what you’ve learned in class thus far. 

(1) What’s your honest, gut reaction to Hill’s descriptions, many of which are quotations from primary sources? (25-50 words)

(2) What key symbols/root metaphors (p.84) are at play in Black and Womanist religious ethics? Think about the ends, virtues, and situations in which these ethics are framed. (100 words)